[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":155},["ShallowReactive",2],{"aAfw0LinCrYaJ02lGxCMlyhukeLA66ROxmPQY4-eojg":3,"article_rapadapt-helps-disabled-reclaim-independence-through-adaptive-innovation_solidworks":10,"_apollo:default":153,"_apollo:identified":154},{"mailchimpAudience":4},{"actionUrl":5,"slug":6,"locale":7,"default":8,"__typename":9},"","rapadapt-helps-disabled-reclaim-independence-through-adaptive-innovation","en","https:\u002F\u002F3ds.us3.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe\u002Fpost?u=ed4601044e1936748c0d2aa6b&id=e5080ff9fe&f_id=002d4de2f0","MailchimpAudience",{"posts":11},{"nodes":12,"__typename":152},[13],{"id":14,"slug":6,"title":15,"uri":16,"excerpt":17,"locale":18,"featuredImage":21,"tableOfContents":30,"content":31,"date":32,"authorJobTitle":5,"author":33,"masterings":43,"globalTags":64,"products":99,"disciplines":110,"seo":141,"__typename":151},"cG9zdDoyMTc1Ng==","RapAdapt Helps Disabled Reclaim Independence Through Adaptive Innovation","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Frapadapt-helps-disabled-reclaim-independence-through-adaptive-innovation","\u003Cp>Bespoke engineering firm leverages SOLIDWORKS to develop tailored assistive technologies, empowering individuals…\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"locale":19,"__typename":20},"en_US","Locale",{"node":22,"__typename":29},{"large":23,"__typename":24,"medium_large":25,"thumbnail":26,"srcSet":27,"sizes":28},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-1-1024x576.jpg","MediaItem","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-1-768x432.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-1-150x150.jpg.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-1-1536x864.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-1.jpg.webp 1920w","(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px","NodeWithFeaturedImageToMediaItemConnectionEdge",[],"\u003Cp>It’s easy to take mobility for granted until it’s taken away. For millions of people living with physical disabilities, access to functional, reliable assistive technology isn’t just important, it’s life-changing. But when that technology fails or doesn’t exist yet, what do you do?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you’re Thomas Quiter or Devin Hamilton, you don’t wait around. You engineer your way through the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"587\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fmobiledme3-1024x587.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21758\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fmobiledme3-1024x587.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fmobiledme3-300x172.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fmobiledme3-768x440.jpg.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fmobiledme3-1536x880.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fmobiledme3.jpg.webp 1885w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Hurdles to Independence\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Quiter, founder and president of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fthemif.org\u002F\">Mobility Independence Foundation\u003C\u002Fa>, has made it his mission to change how we think about and build durable medical equipment (DME). “The Foundation seeks to not only reverse engineer durable medical equipment,” he explains, “but also create new open-source designs for DME so that anybody of means can build what they need, whether it is customized, modular, or whatever they need for their particular disability.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Quiter speaks from experience: He was once stuck in his apartment for five years because he didn’t have access to an adequate wheelchair. “That was in 2014,” he says, “and here it is 2025, eleven years later, and I have access to just about as many wheelchairs as I’d like. We should all have that kind of access.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>However, for most people, access to functional and durable DME remains a significant barrier. “Today’s power chairs and manual chairs break down at the rate of 50% every six months. The average turnaround time for repairs is five months, while you wait for your chair to be repaired. You lose independence, you lose freedom. But it doesn’t have to be that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"586\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdevin20at20computer-1024x586.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21759\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdevin20at20computer-1024x586.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdevin20at20computer-300x172.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdevin20at20computer-768x439.jpg.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdevin20at20computer-1536x879.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdevin20at20computer.jpg.webp 1888w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Lived Experience for Creative Problem Solving\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Devin Hamilton, president of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rapadapt.com\u002F\">RapAdapt\u003C\u002Fa> and lead contract mechanical engineer for the Mobility Independence Foundation, doesn’t just build assistive devices, he lives them.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\u003Cp>\n“Living with disabilities can involve lots of problems and obstacles, and an occasional mess. To overcome some of these obstacles, I have been using assistive technology from a very early age. I have used everything from head sticks for mixing cake batter to custom sleds for playing in the snow.”\nDevin Hamilton, president of RapAdapt who has cerebral palsy. \n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>Hamilton grew up on a dairy farm in Upstate New York. He and his father rigged up modified farm equipment and designed hitch-and-plow systems for his power chair. Now Hamilton leverages that experience, along with his mechanical engineering degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, into every project.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>As he puts it, “I believe with the appropriate perspective any problem can be a spark for creativity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21760\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading-1536x864.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdme20offroading.jpg.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Custom Engineering for Real-Life Needs\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>At RapAdapt, every design begins with a conversation. “Our general process involves meeting with the customer and assessing their goals and limitations,” Hamilton explains. “Once we do this, we begin prototyping a custom solution for that individual. Prototyping can involve CAD work, 3D printing, CNC machining, and sometimes welding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>While the RapAdapt team has access to advanced technologies, such as robotic welding, they don’t let the tools drive the outcome. “Sometimes the most effective solution is the simplest one,” says Hamilton.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This is engineering with empathy. “We understand, on a deeper level than just about anyone in the engineering world, how important independence is in every aspect of life,” explains the RapAdapt website. “We visit our clients in their homes, offices, community centers, remotely, or anywhere in the community that independence matters most.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fmobiledmeupright-1024x576.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21761\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fmobiledmeupright-1024x576.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fmobiledmeupright-300x169.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fmobiledmeupright-768x432.jpg.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fmobiledmeupright-1536x864.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fmobiledmeupright.jpg.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>A New Standard for Mobility Design\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Thanks to this collaboration with RapAdapt, the Mobility Independence Foundation is rewriting the rulebook on mobility device design. “With an open-source design,” Quiter says, “anybody that can turn a wrench and decipher a diagram can help you build it. We have people with disabilities who are those experts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Dassault Systèmes \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.solidworks.com\u002F\">SOLIDWORKS\u003C\u002Fa>® has been essential to the Mobility Independence Foundation’s progress. “Devin Hamilton of RapAdapt is our lead mechanical engineer. He uses SOLIDWORKS to reverse engineer and create new parts where necessary. Without SOLIDWORKS and RapAdapt, we wouldn’t be doing any of this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And it’s not just about technical skill, it’s about perspective. “Devin brought a unique perspective by using SOLIDWORKS through the lens of disability, helping us improve a design that was already great, and now, it’s going to be even better,” Quiter says.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdevin20welding-1024x576.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21762\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdevin20welding-1024x576.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdevin20welding-300x169.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdevin20welding-768x432.jpg.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdevin20welding-1536x864.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdevin20welding.jpg.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Building a Movement\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This is bigger than a chair, a device, or a prototype. It’s about dignity, access, and a vision of engineering that serves real human needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\u003Cp>\n“We all have value, and we should be adding it back into society, like Devin does. He has cerebral palsy, and he has no trouble using SOLIDWORKS. I think that’s amazing; I think he’s amazing. When we release this model, I hope others will analyze it and identify areas for further improvement. The goal is to encourage continuous evolution to make the design better and better.”\nMobility Independence Foundation Founder Thomas Quiter.\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>It is exciting to build a future where innovation and accessibility go hand in hand, empowering independence for everyone. You can watch the full video below.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cdiv class=\"ds-video\">\u003Ca data-3ds-videoplayer=\"modal\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=ildvunuKnU8\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan class=\"ImageCover Border Block\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\u002F\u002Fimg.youtube.com\u002Fvi\u002FildvunuKnU8\u002Fhqdefault.jpg); width:100%; height: 100%;\">\u003Cspan class=\"Btn--circle isCenter\">\u003Ci class=\"Icon Icon--playBig\">\u003C\u002Fi>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003Cp>Learn more\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you’d like to learn more about how Dassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKS can enable higher levels of innovation at your company, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.solidworks.com\u002Fhow-to-buy\u002Ffind-solidworks-reseller\u002F\">contact your local reseller\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>You can read the full case study here: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.solidworks.com\u002Fcustomer-story\u002Frapadapt-helps-disabled-reclaim-independence-through-adaptive-innovation\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\u002F\u002Fwww.solidworks.com\u002Fcustomer-story\u002Frapadapt-helps-disabled-reclaim-independence-through-adaptive-innovation\u002F\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>","2025-06-27T08:00:59",{"node":34,"__typename":42},{"nicename":35,"description":36,"slug":35,"name":37,"firstName":37,"lastName":5,"avatar":38,"__typename":41},"solidworks","Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. offers complete 3D software tools that let you create, simulate, publish, and manage your data. SolidWorks products are easy to learn and use, and work together to help you design products better, faster, and more cost-effectively. The SolidWorks focus on ease-of-use allows more engineers, designers and other technology professionals than ever before to take advantage of 3D in bringing their designs to life.","SOLIDWORKS",{"url":39,"__typename":40},"https:\u002F\u002Fsecure.gravatar.com\u002Favatar\u002F1456c94d954684cae05ba938017ad326ccab65a27136da3cef939510afab2973?s=96&d=mm&r=g","Avatar","User","NodeWithAuthorToUserConnectionEdge",{"nodes":44,"edges":56,"__typename":63},[45,51],{"id":46,"name":47,"slug":48,"uri":49,"__typename":50},"dGVybTo5NQ==","Customer Stories","customer-stories","\u002Fmastering\u002Fcustomer-stories\u002F","Taxonomy_mastering",{"id":52,"name":53,"slug":54,"uri":55,"__typename":50},"dGVybTo5Mw==","SWUGN","swugn","\u002Fmastering\u002Fswugn\u002F",[57,61],{"isPrimary":58,"node":59,"__typename":60},false,{"id":46,"name":47,"slug":48,"uri":49,"__typename":50},"PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnectionEdge",{"isPrimary":58,"node":62,"__typename":60},{"id":52,"name":53,"slug":54,"uri":55,"__typename":50},"PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnection",{"nodes":65,"__typename":98},[66,72,77,82,85,90,95],{"id":67,"name":68,"slug":69,"uri":70,"__typename":71},"dGVybTo5NjAx","3D CAD","3d-cad","\u002Ftags\u002F3d-cad\u002F","Taxonomy_tag",{"id":73,"name":74,"slug":75,"uri":76,"__typename":71},"dGVybTo5NjA1","3DEXPERIENCE Platform","3dexperience-platform","\u002Ftags\u002F3dexperience-platform\u002F",{"id":78,"name":79,"slug":80,"uri":81,"__typename":71},"dGVybTo5NjIw","Collaboration","collaboration","\u002Ftags\u002Fcollaboration\u002F",{"id":83,"name":47,"slug":48,"uri":84,"__typename":71},"dGVybTo5NjA4","\u002Ftags\u002Fcustomer-stories\u002F",{"id":86,"name":87,"slug":88,"uri":89,"__typename":71},"dGVybTo5NjI0","Dassault Systemes","dassault-systemes","\u002Ftags\u002Fdassault-systemes\u002F",{"id":91,"name":92,"slug":93,"uri":94,"__typename":71},"dGVybTo5NTk5","Design","design","\u002Ftags\u002Fdesign\u002F",{"id":96,"name":37,"slug":35,"uri":97,"__typename":71},"dGVybTo5NjAz","\u002Ftags\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","PostToTaxonomy_tagConnection",{"edges":100,"nodes":107,"__typename":109},[101],{"isPrimary":58,"node":102,"__typename":106},{"id":103,"name":37,"slug":35,"uri":104,"__typename":105},"dGVybTo1Ng==","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","Taxonomy_product","PostToTaxonomy_productConnectionEdge",[108],{"id":103,"name":37,"slug":35,"uri":104,"__typename":105},"PostToTaxonomy_productConnection",{"nodes":111,"edges":134,"__typename":140},[112,124],{"id":113,"name":68,"slug":69,"uri":114,"parentId":115,"disciplines":116,"__typename":123},"dGVybTo2MA==","\u002Fdisciplines\u002F3d-cad\u002F","dGVybTo1OA==",{"nodes":117,"__typename":122},[118],{"title":68,"uri":119,"parentId":120,"__typename":121},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fdesign-engineering\u002F3d-cad","cG9zdDozNzcz","Discipline","Taxonomy_disciplineToDisciplineConnection","Taxonomy_discipline",{"id":125,"name":126,"slug":127,"uri":128,"parentId":129,"disciplines":130,"__typename":123},"dGVybTo3Mg==","Management and Collaboration","management-collaboration","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fmanagement-collaboration\u002F",null,{"nodes":131,"__typename":122},[132],{"title":126,"uri":133,"parentId":129,"__typename":121},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fmanagement-collaboration",[135,138],{"isPrimary":58,"node":136,"__typename":137},{"parentId":115,"id":113,"name":68,"slug":69,"uri":114,"__typename":123},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnectionEdge",{"isPrimary":58,"node":139,"__typename":137},{"parentId":129,"id":125,"name":126,"slug":127,"uri":128,"__typename":123},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnection",{"canonical":5,"title":142,"metaDesc":5,"opengraphAuthor":5,"opengraphDescription":143,"opengraphTitle":15,"opengraphUrl":144,"opengraphSiteName":145,"opengraphPublishedTime":146,"opengraphModifiedTime":147,"twitterTitle":5,"twitterDescription":5,"readingTime":148,"metaRobotsNoindex":149,"__typename":150},"RapAdapt Helps Disabled Reclaim Independence Through Adaptive Innovation - Blog Solidworks","Bespoke engineering firm leverages SOLIDWORKS to develop tailored assistive technologies, empowering individuals…","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Frapadapt-helps-disabled-reclaim-independence-through-adaptive-innovation\u002F","Blog Solidworks","2025-06-27T12:00:59+00:00","2026-03-04T14:31:29+00:00",4,"noindex","PostTypeSEO","Post","RootQueryToPostConnection",{},{},1777075619525]